DISEASES OF THE FETLOCK, ANKLK. AND FOOT. 406 



is well to poultice the parts for a day or two, after which cold baths 

 may be used, or the wounds dressed with tincture of aloes, oakum, 

 and a roller bandage. 



When an animal is known to be subject to overreaching, he should 

 never be driven fast without quarter boots, which are specially made 

 for the protection of the heels and quarters. 



If there is a disposition to " grab " the forward shoes, the trouble 

 may be remedied hj having the heels of these shoes made as short as 

 possible, while the toe of the hind foot should project well over the 

 shoe. "When circumstances permit of their use, the fore feet maybe 

 shod with the " tips " instead of the common shoe, as described in 

 treatment for contracted heels. 



CALK WOUNDS. 



Horses wearing shoes Avith sharp calljs are liable to wounds of the 

 coronary region, either from trampling on themselves or on each 

 other. These injuries are most common in heavy draft horses, espe- 

 cially on rough roads and slippery streets. The fore feet are more 

 liable than the hind ones, and the seat of injury is commonly on 

 the quarters. In the hind feet the wound often results from the 

 animal resting with the heel of one foot set directly over the front 

 of the other. In these cases the injuiy is generally close to the horn, 

 and often involves the coronary band, the sensitive laminaj, the 

 extensor tendon, and even the coffin bone. 



Treatment. — ^Preventive measures include the use of boots to pro- 

 tect the coronet of the hind foot and of a blunt calk on the outside 

 heel of the fore shoe, since this is generally the offending insti'u- 

 merit when the fore feet are injured. If the wound is not deep 

 and the soreness slight, cold-water bandages and a light protective 

 dressing, such as carbolized cosmoline, will be all that is needed. 

 When the injury is deep, followed by inflammation and suppuration 

 of the coronary band, lateral cartilages, sensitive laminsa, etc., active 

 measures must be resorted to. Cold, astringent baths, made by 

 adding 2 ounces of sulphate of iron to 1 gallon of water, should be 

 used, followed by poultices, if it is necessary to hasten the cleansing 

 of the wound by stimulating the sloughing process. If the wound 

 is deep between the horn and the skin, especially over the anterior 

 tendon, the horn should be cut away so that the injured tissues may 

 be exposed. The subsequent treatment in these cases should follow 

 the directions given in the article on toe cracks. 



FROSTBITES. 



Excepting the ears, the feet and legs are about the only parts of 

 the horse liable to become frostbitten. The cases most commonly 

 seen are found in cities, especially among car horses, where salt is 

 used for the purpose of melting the snow on curves and switches. 



